[10-Q] Aqua Metals, Inc. Quarterly Earnings Report
Aqua Metals (AQMS) filed its Q3 2025 10‑Q, reporting continued losses and a going concern warning. The company posted a net loss of $3,121,000 for the quarter and $18,206,000 for the nine months. Cash and cash equivalents were $3,586,000, and total stockholders’ equity was $6,522,000.
The balance sheet reflects the June sale of the TRIC facility, driving a non‑cash impairment and loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment of $9,037,000. The company repaid $3,000,000 to Summit and $1,500,000 of secured notes in 2025. Operating cash outflow was $7,648,000 for the nine months.
To fund operations, Aqua Metals raised $5,921,000 via its ATM and $903,000 through an equity line of credit (ELOC) in the nine months. As of September 30, 2025, the ATM had no remaining capacity, while $9,097,000 remained available under the ELOC. Subsequent event: on October 16, 2025, the company closed a registered direct offering and concurrent private placement for aggregate net proceeds of approximately $12,000,000. Management states there is “substantial doubt” about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
Common shares outstanding were 2,979,263 as of November 7, 2025, after 1‑for‑20 and 1‑for‑10 reverse splits in November 2024 and August 2025.
- None.
- Going concern: management states “substantial doubt” about the ability to continue as a going concern within one year.
- Persistent losses/no revenue: Q3 net loss of $3,121,000 and nine‑month net loss of $18,206,000 with no commercial revenue.
- Litigation cost exposure: opposing party seeks approximately $3.5 million in fees and costs; outcome not resolved in this report.
Insights
Going concern flagged; liquidity bolstered by
Aqua Metals reported a Q3 net loss of
Funding actions included ATM proceeds of
Management states “substantial doubt” about continuing as a going concern within one year of issuance. Actual liquidity depends on future capital access and cash burn. A separate motion seeks approximately
Table of Contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
| | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the Quarterly Period Ended
OR
| | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to .
Commission file number:
Aqua Metals, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer |
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class of stock: | Trading symbol | Name of each exchange on which registered: |
| | | The |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act):
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ |
| | ☒ | Smaller reporting company | |
| Emerging Growth Company | |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes
As of November 7, 2025, there were
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| PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
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| Item 1. |
Financial Statements |
1 |
| Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024 - Unaudited |
1 | |
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 - Unaudited |
2 |
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| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 - Unaudited |
3 |
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| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 - Unaudited |
4 |
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| Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited |
5 |
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| Item 2. |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
15 |
| Item 3. |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk |
19 |
| Item 4. |
Controls and Procedures |
19 |
| PART II - OTHER INFORMATION |
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| Item 1A. |
Risk Factors |
20 |
| Item 5 | Other Information | 20 |
| Item 6. |
Exhibits |
21 |
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
AQUA METALS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - Unaudited
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
| September 30, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current assets | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | ||||||
| Note receivable - LINICO | ||||||||
| Inventory | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | ||||||||
| Total current assets | ||||||||
| Non-current assets | ||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | ||||||||
| Intellectual property, net | ||||||||
| Other assets | ||||||||
| Total non-current assets | ||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | $ | ||||||
| Accrued expenses | ||||||||
| Lease liability, current portion | ||||||||
| Notes payable related-party, current portion | ||||||||
| Note payable, current portion | ||||||||
| Total current liabilities | ||||||||
| Non-current liabilities | ||||||||
| Lease liability, non-current portion | ||||||||
| Warrant liability | ||||||||
| Total liabilities | ||||||||
| Commitments and contingencies (see Note 13) | ||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | ||||||||
| Common stock; $0.001 par value; 300,000,000 shares authorized; 1,856,815 and 1,848,968, shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2025, respectively and 776,026 and 773,084 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2024, respectively | ||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | ||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Treasury stock, at cost; common shares: 7,847 and 2,942 as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | ||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
AQUA METALS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - Unaudited
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||
| Operating cost and expense | ||||||||||||||||
| Plant operations | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Research and development cost | ||||||||||||||||
| Impairment and loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment | ||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expense | ||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expense | ||||||||||||||||
| Loss from operations | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Other income and (expense) | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Interest and other income | ||||||||||||||||
| Change in fair value of warrant liability | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Total other income, net | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Loss before income tax expense | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Income tax expense | ||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted net loss per share | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
AQUA METALS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity - Unaudited
(in thousands, except share amounts)
| Additional | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | Paid-in | Accumulated | Treasury Stock | Stockholders' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Shares | Amount | Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances, June 30, 2025 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued to employees and directors, includes RSUs vesting and withholdings to satisfy tax withholdings on RSUs vesting | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued for ATM share sales, net of $95 transaction costs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued for ELOC share sales, net of $25 transaction costs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock cancelled for cash in lieu of fractional shares reverse split | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | ( | ) | — | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances, September 30, 2025 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balances, December 31, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued to employees and directors, includes RSUs vesting and withholdings to satisfy tax withholdings on RSUs vesting | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued for ATM share sales, net of $165 transaction costs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued for ELOC share sales, net of $28 transaction costs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock cancelled for cash in lieu of fractional shares reverse split | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued for broker fees | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | ( | ) | — | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances, September 30, 2025 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balances, June 30, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued to employees and directors, includes RSUs vesting and withholdings to satisfy tax withholdings on RSUs vesting | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued for consulting fees | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued for ATM share sales, net of $34 transaction costs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued for director fees | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | ( | ) | — | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances, September 30, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balances, December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued to employees and directors, includes RSUs vesting and withholdings to satisfy tax withholdings on RSUs vesting | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued for employee stock purchase plan sales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued for consulting fees | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock and warrants issued for public offering, net of $744 transaction costs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued for ATM share sales, net of $87 transaction costs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued for director fees | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | ( | ) | — | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances, September 30, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
AQUA METALS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Unaudited
(in thousands)
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Reconciliation of net loss to net cash used in operating activities | ||||||||
| Depreciation and ROU asset amortization | ||||||||
| Amortization of intellectual property | ||||||||
| Fair value of common stock issued for director fees | ||||||||
| Fair value of common stock issued for consulting services | ||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | ||||||||
| Change in fair value of warrant liability | ( | ) | ||||||
| Amortization of deferred financing costs | ||||||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | ||||||||
| Impairment and loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment | ||||||||
| Inventory net realizable value adjustment | ||||||||
| Write off of debt issuance costs | ||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable | ( | ) | ||||||
| Inventory | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Accrued expenses | ( | ) | ||||||
| Other assets and liabilities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||
| Purchases of property, plant and equipment | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment | ||||||||
| Proceeds from note receivable | ||||||||
| Proceeds from refund of equipment deposit | ||||||||
| Equipment deposits | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | ( | ) | ||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants, net of transaction costs | ||||||||
| Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan | ||||||||
| Principal payments on notes payable | ( | ) | ||||||
| Principal payments on finance leases | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Cash paid cash in lieu of fractional shares reverse split | ( | ) | ||||||
| Cash paid for tax withholdings on RSUs vesting | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Debt issuance costs | ( | ) | ||||||
| Proceeds from ELOC, net | ||||||||
| Proceeds from ATM, net | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | ||||||||
| Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | $ | ||||||
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| Supplemental disclosure of cash flows information | ||||||||
| Cash paid for income taxes | $ | $ | ||||||
| Cash paid for interest | $ | $ | ||||||
| Supplemental disclosure of non-cash transactions | ||||||||
| Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment included in accounts payable | $ | $ | ||||||
| Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment included in accrued expenses | $ | $ | ||||||
| Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment paid by prior-period deposits | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
1. Organization
Aqua Metals (NASDAQ: AQMS) is engaged in the business of applying its commercialized clean, water-based recycling technology principles to develop the clean and cost-efficient recycling solutions for lithium-ion (“Li”) batteries. Our recycling process is a hydro- and electrometallurgical technology that is an innovative, proprietary and patented process we developed and named AquaRefining. AquaRefining is a low-emissions, closed-loop recycling technology that replaces polluting furnaces and hazardous chemicals with electricity-powered chemical regeneration and electroplating to recover valuable metals and materials from spent batteries with higher purity, lower emissions, and with minimal waste. The modular “Aqualyzers” cleanly generate ultra-pure metal one atom at a time, closing the sustainability loop for the rapidly growing energy storage economy.
We are in the process of demonstrating that Li AquaRefining, which is fundamentally non-polluting, can create the highest quality and highest yields of recovered minerals from lithium-ion batteries with lower waste streams and lower costs than existing alternatives.
Our focus for the lead market is providing equipment and licensing of our lead acid battery recycling technologies in an enabler model which allows us to work with anyone in the industry globally and address the entire marketplace. Our focus for the lithium market includes operating our first-of-a-kind lithium battery recycling facility, utilizing electricity to recycle instead of intensive chemical processes, fossil fuels, or high-temperature furnaces and licensing.
Reverse Stock Splits
Effective November 5, 2024, the Company effected a one-for-
Liquidity and Going Concern Assessment
For the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, the Company reported a net loss of $
On October 16, 2025, the Company closed a registered direct offering and a concurrent private placement with an institutional investor. After the deduction of the placement and legal fees payable by us, the aggregate net proceeds from the registered direct offering and warrant placement were approximately $
As an additional liquidity source, the Company maintains an At-the-Market (“ATM”) offering program as a potential source of liquidity. Under the ATM Sales Agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) with The Benchmark Company, LLC (“Benchmark”), the Company may offer and sell shares of its common stock, par value $
In addition to the ATM, the Company also maintains an equity line of credit with Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC (“ELOC”) providing for aggregate sales of up to $
Management believes that there is substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the financial statements are issued. Given the Company’s continuing losses and expected cash requirements, additional capital will be necessary to fund ongoing operations. While the Company intends to pursue such funding opportunities, including through the ATM, ELOC, and other potential financing arrangements, there can be no assurance that these efforts will be successful.
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the assumption the Company will continue to operate as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the settlement of liabilities in the normal course of business. The condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts of liabilities that may result from uncertainty related to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
2. Summary of significant accounting policies
The significant accounting policies and estimates used in preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements are described in the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2024, and the notes thereto, which are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, on March 31, 2025. There have been no material changes in the Company’s significant accounting policies during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025.
Basis of presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Aqua Metals, Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “Aqua Metals”) have been prepared in accordance with the interim reporting requirements of Form 10-Q, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated financial statements for the period ended December 31, 2024, which are included on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2025. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for annual consolidated financial statements.
In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary to present fairly each of the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2025, the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and September 30, 2024, the condensed consolidated statements of stockholders' equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and September 30, 2024 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and September 30, 2024, as applicable, have been made. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2024 has been derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements as of such date, but it does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for annual presentation.
The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2025.
Principles of consolidation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned subsidiaries. Inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management of the Company to make a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reported amount of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of expenses during the period. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the carrying amount and valuation of long-lived assets, valuation allowances for deferred tax assets, the determination of stock option expense and the determination of the fair value of stock warrants issued. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Fair value measurements
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, inventory, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable, and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The carrying value of short and long-term debt, and lease liabilities also approximates fair value since these instruments bear market rates of interest or are calculated using market rates of interest. None of these instruments are held for trading purposes.
Fair value is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received upon the sale of an asset or payment to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. A three-tier fair value hierarchy is used to prioritize the inputs in measuring fair value as follows:
Level 1. Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2. Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3. Significant unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by market data.
The asset or liability’s fair value measurement within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
As of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company had a Level 3 warrant liability related to freestanding warrants issued in connection with a private placement transaction that is measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
Net loss per share
Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of common share equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury-stock method or the if-converted method, as applicable. For purposes of this calculation, stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs) and warrants to purchase common stock are considered to be common stock equivalents and are only included in the calculation of diluted net loss per share when their effect is dilutive. The following shares underlying outstanding convertible notes, stock options, RSUs and warrants to purchase common stock were anti-dilutive due to a net loss in the periods presented and, therefore, were excluded from the dilutive weighted average securities computation for the nine months ended September 30, as indicated below:
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| Excluded potentially dilutive weighted average securities (1): | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Unvested restricted stock units | ||||||||||||||||
| Financing warrants to purchase common stock | ||||||||||||||||
| Total potential dilutive weighted average securities | ||||||||||||||||
|
| (1) Securities are presented on a weighted average outstanding calculation as required if the securities were dilutive and adjusted to give effect to the November 4, 2024 and August 4, 2025 reverse stock splits. |
Segment and geographic information
Our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) is the Chief Executive Officer. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise engaging in business activities for which discrete financial information is available and regularly reviewed by the CODM in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The CODM views its operations and manages its business in one operating segment. For further discussion related to segment reporting, please refer to Note 14 - Segment reporting.
Concentration of credit risk
The Company did not generate revenue during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The Company had
Recent accounting pronouncements
Recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses, which introduced new guidance on disclosures of specified information about certain costs and expenses included within expenses presented on the face of the income statements, such as purchases of inventory and employee compensation. This guidance is effective for the Company for annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2027 and interim reporting periods beginning January 1, 2028. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this pronouncement will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (Topic 740). The ASU requires disaggregated information about a reporting entity’s effective tax rate reconciliation as well as additional information on income taxes paid. The ASU is effective on a prospective basis for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is also permitted for annual financial statements that have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. This ASU will result in the required additional disclosures being included in our consolidated financial statements, once adopted.
In September 2025, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2025-06, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other — Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Internal-Use Software. The ASU amends certain aspects for the accounting and disclosure of internal-use software by replacing prescriptive project-stage guidance with a principles-based capitalization model that applies to all development approaches. Capitalization begins when management authorizes and commits to fund a project and it is probable the software will be completed and used as intended, while development uncertainty defers capitalization until resolved. The ASU also integrates website-development guidance, aligns software disclosures with those for property, plant and equipment. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027, including interim periods, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact of this ASU and does not expect a material effect on its consolidated financial statements upon adoption.
3. Revenue recognition
The Company has historically generated revenues by recycling lead acid batteries (“LABs”) and selling the recovered lead to its customers.
The Company was not in commercial production during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Historically, Company products transferred to customers at a single point in time accounted for 100% of its revenue.
4. Note receivable
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company sold its $
5. Inventory
Inventory consisted of the following (in thousands):
| September 30, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |||||||
| Raw materials | $ | $ | ||||||
| Total inventory | $ | $ | ||||||
6. Property and equipment, net
Property and equipment, net, consisted of the following (in thousands):
| Useful Life | ||||||||||||
| Asset Class | (Years) | September 30, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |||||||||
| Operational equipment | 3 - 10 | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Lab equipment | ||||||||||||
| Computer equipment | ||||||||||||
| Office furniture and equipment | ||||||||||||
| Leasehold improvements | ||||||||||||
| Land | - | |||||||||||
| Building | ||||||||||||
| Equipment under construction | ||||||||||||
| Less: accumulated depreciation | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Total property and equipment, net | $ | $ | ||||||||||
Property and equipment depreciation expense was $
In April 2025, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a plan to sell a facility located at TRIC that was under construction and intended for the Company’s Li AquaRefining recycling campus. The decision was driven by a change in the Company’s priorities and capital allocation plans. The facility included the building structure, the underlying land, and various permanent improvements, and was previously classified as construction-in-progress within property, plant, and equipment on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2024. In accordance with ASC 360-10-45-13, the Company determined that the assets met the criteria to be classified as held for sale in April 2025. During the first quarter of 2025, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $
The sale of the facility was completed in June 2025 for total net proceeds of approximately $
7. Other assets
Other assets consist of the following (in thousands):
| September 30, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |||||||
| Equipment deposits (1) | $ | $ | ||||||
| Nevada facilities Right of Use Assets (2) | ||||||||
| Other assets | ||||||||
| Total other assets, non-current | $ | $ | ||||||
(1) Deposits for equipment to be acquired.
(2) See Footnote 9.
8. Accrued expenses
Accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands):
| September 30, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |||||||
| Property and equipment related | $ | $ | ||||||
| Payroll related | ||||||||
| Professional services | ||||||||
| Other | ||||||||
| Total accrued expenses | $ | $ | ||||||
9. Leases
As of September 30, 2025, the Company maintained one finance lease for equipment and two operating leases for real estate. The operating leases had terms of
On March 14, 2024, the Company extended its operating lease for its headquarters located at 5370 Kietzke Lane, Reno, NV. The lease extension was determined to be a lease modification that qualified as a change of accounting on the existing lease and not a separate contract. As such, the Right-of-Use (“ROU”) assets and operating lease liabilities were remeasured using an incremental borrowing rate at the date of modification of
On June 9, 2024, the Company extended its operating lease for its Innovation Center located at 160 Denmark Dr, McCarran, NV. The lease extension was determined to be a lease modification that qualified as a change of accounting on the existing lease and not a separate contract. As such, the Right-of-Use (“ROU”) assets and operating lease liabilities were remeasured using an incremental borrowing rate at the date of modification of
The Company currently maintains one finance lease for equipment. On April 1, 2024 the Company entered into a finance lease for laboratory equipment which expires in 2029. In November 2021, the Company entered into a finance lease for a modular laboratory which expired in October 2024.
Information related to the Company's right-of-use assets and related lease liabilities were as follows (in thousands):
| Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
| September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||
| Cash paid for operating lease liabilities | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Operating lease cost | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Cash paid for finance lease liabilities | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| September 30, 2025 | September 30, 2024 | |||||||
| Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) - operating leases | ||||||||
| Weighted-average discount rate - operating leases | % | % | ||||||
| Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) - finance leases | ||||||||
| Weighted-average discount rate - finance leases | % | % | ||||||
| Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: | ||||||||
| Operating leases | $ | $ | ||||||
Future maturities of lease liabilities as of September 30, 2025 are as follows (in thousands):
| Due in 12-month period ended September 30, | ||||||||
| Operating Leases | Finance Leases | |||||||
| 2025 | $ | $ | ||||||
| 2026 | ||||||||
| 2027 | ||||||||
| 2028 | ||||||||
| Less imputed interest | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total lease liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||
| Current lease liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||
| Non-current lease liabilities | ||||||||
| Total lease liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||
10. Notes payable
On February 1, 2023, Aqua Metals Reno, Inc., our wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into a Loan Agreement with Summit Investment Services, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company (the “Lender”), pursuant to which the Lender provided us with a loan in the amount of $
On December 18, 2024, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with eight accredited investors, including executives and related parties of the Company, in connection with a private placement of secured promissory notes (“Notes”) in the aggregate principal amount of $
The private placement closed on December 19, 2024 for the gross proceeds of $
Notes payable is comprised of the following (in thousands):
| September 30, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |||||||
| Notes payable, current portion | ||||||||
| Summit Investment Services, LLC | $ | $ | ||||||
| Notes related-party | ||||||||
| Notes | ||||||||
| Less issuance costs | ( | ) | ||||||
| Total notes payable, current portion | $ | $ | ||||||
11. Warrant liability
The Company accounted for the warrants to purchase
| As of September 30, 2025 | As of December 31, 2024 | |||||||
| Expected life of the options to convert | ||||||||
| Risk-free rate | % | % | ||||||
| Historical volatility | % | % | ||||||
| Valuation date stock price | $ | $ | ||||||
| Strike price | $19.30/$19.20 | $19.30/$19.20 | ||||||
| Probability of completing a change in control | % | % | ||||||
| Volatility if change in control occurs | % | % | ||||||
| Dividend yield | % | % | ||||||
The following table provides a roll forward of the Level 3 warrant liability as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2025, (in thousands):
| Warrant liability | ||||
| Fair value as of December 31, 2024 | $ | |||
| Change in fair value of warrant liabilities | ( | ) | ||
| Fair value as of September 30, 2025 | $ | |||
12. Stockholders’ equity
At-the-Market (“ATM”) Offering Program
On August 22, 2024, the Company filed a prospectus supplement under its effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 authorizing an At-the-Market (“ATM”) offering program for the sale of up to $
Equity Line of Credit and Derivative
On May 15, 2025, the Company entered into an equity purchase agreement granting it the right, but not the obligation, to sell up to $10,000,000 of common stock to Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC over 24 months, at a discounted purchase price. On June 6, 2025, the Company registered
Shares issued
During the nine months ended September 30, 2025, the Company issued
During the nine months ended September 30, 2025, the Company issued
During the nine months ended September 30, 2025, the Company issued
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company issued
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company issued
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company issued
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company issued
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company issued
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company issued
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company issued
In May 2024, the Company completed a public offering of
Warrant issued
In connection with the above-described May 2024 public offering, the Company issued a warrant to purchase
In May 2024, in conjunction with the Company's public offering, the Company issued a warrant to purchase up to
Stock-based compensation
The stock-based compensation expense was allocated as follows (in thousands):
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||
| Plant operations | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Research and development cost | ||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expense | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
2019 Stock Incentive Plan
In 2019, our board of directors adopted the Aqua Metals, Inc. 2019 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”). On May 23, 2024,
| Number of Shares | Number of | Number of | ||||||||||
| Available for | PSUs | RSUs | ||||||||||
| Grant | Outstanding | Outstanding | ||||||||||
| Balances, December 31, 2024 | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Authorized | ||||||||||||
| Granted | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Released | — | ( | ) | |||||||||
| Forfeited | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Returned to Plan | ||||||||||||
| Balances, September 30, 2025 | ||||||||||||
Restricted stock units
During the first quarter of 2025, the Company granted
On October 3, 2024, the Company approved a supplemental retention program designed to retain business-critical resources essential to ongoing operations and strategic initiatives. Participation in the program is contingent upon management achieving specified fundraising targets and subject to the continued service of eligible employees. The program established specific funding tranches tied to cumulative fundraising milestones, which must be achieved on or before March 7, 2025. The grant terms included a fixed dollar, variable share, structure with potential settlement valued from $
During the first quarter of 2025, the Company granted
During the second quarter of 2025, the Company granted
During the second quarter of 2025, the Company granted
During the second quarter of 2025, the Company granted
During the third quarter of 2025, the Company granted
During the third quarter of 2025, the Company granted
13. Commitments and contingencies
We may, from time to time, be party to litigation and subject to claims incident to the ordinary course of business. As we grow, we may become party to an increasing number of litigation matters and claims. The outcome of litigation and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, and the resolution of any future matters could materially affect our future financial position, results of operations or cash flows. We are not party to any legal proceedings that, if determined adversely to us, would individually or taken together have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
In October 2021, we filed an action against Johnson Controls Fire Protections, LP (“Defendant”) relating to its involvement in the November 2019 fire at our former TRIC facility (Aqua Metals, Inc., et. al v. Johnson Controls Fire Protections, LP, Second Judicial District of the State of Nevada CV21-01891). Our complaint alleged Defendant’s liability for a portion of the fire loss based on Defendant’s negligence, breach of contract and other causes of action in connection with Defendant’s failure to properly inspect, maintain and repair the fire suppression system in the TRIC facility. On March 25, 2025, the Court dismissed our complaint in response to a motion for summary judgment filed by Defendant. On May 12, 2025, Defendant filed a Memorandum for Costs seeking approximately $
14. Segment reporting
Aqua Metals, Inc. has one operating segment: sustainable metals recycling. The Company's operations are focused on the development and commercialization of AquaRefining technology for the clean and efficient recovery of valuable metals from lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries. The Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) is the Chief Executive Officer. The CODM evaluates financial performance at a consolidated, entity-wide level and does not assess operating results by individual business unit or product line. Financial results are reviewed in line with the Company’s condensed consolidated financials, and resource allocation decisions are made based on overall Company performance.
The CODM assesses performance for the segment based on net loss, which is reported on the statement of operations as net loss. The measure of segment assets is reported on the balance sheet as total assets. Significant expenses within net loss, include plant operations, research and development cost, impairment expense, loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment, and general and administrative expenses, which are each separately presented on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
15. Employee Retention Credit
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided an employee retention tax credit to certain employers that either (1) fully or partially suspend operations because of government orders associated with COVID-19 or (2) experience a substantial decline in income but continue to pay employees their wages. The credit is equal to 50% of qualified wages paid in 2020, up to a maximum of $10,000 in qualified wages per employee for the year, and 70% of qualified wages paid in 2021 (through the third quarter), up to a maximum of $10,000 in qualified wages per employee per quarter and can be applied against payroll taxes, with any excess tax credit eligible for a cash refund. The Company’s policy is to recognize these credits based on ASC 450-30, Gain Contingencies, when all uncertainties are resolved, and the income is realized. During the nine months ended September 30, 2025, the Company recorded government grant income of $
16. Subsequent events
On October 15, 2025, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with an institutional investor pursuant to which it agreed to issue and sell, in a registered direct offering, (a)
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Cautionary Statement
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto contained elsewhere in this report. The information contained in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q is not a complete description of our business or the risks associated with an investment in our common stock. We urge you to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us in this report and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the SEC on March 31, 2025, or our 2024 Annual Report.
In this report we make, and from time to time we otherwise make written and oral statements regarding our business and prospects, such as projections of future performance, statements of management’s plans and objectives, forecasts of market trends, and other matters that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements containing the words or phrases “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimates,” “projects,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “target,” “goal,” “plans,” “objective,” “should” or similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which may appear in our documents, reports, filings with the SEC, and news releases, and in written or oral presentations made by officers or other representatives to analysts, stockholders, investors, news organizations and others, and in discussions with management and other of our representatives.
Our future results, including results related to forward-looking statements, involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including those risks included below in Part II, Item 1 “Risk Factors”. No assurance can be given that the results reflected in any forward-looking statements will be achieved. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made. Our forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions that are sometimes based upon estimates, data, communications and other information from suppliers, government agencies and other sources that may be subject to revision. Except as required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to update or keep current either (i) any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date of such statement or (ii) the important factors that could cause our future results to differ materially from historical results or trends, results anticipated or planned by us, or which are reflected from time to time in any forward-looking statement.
Reverse Stock Split
Effective August 4, 2025, the Company effected a one-for-10 reverse stock split of its issued and outstanding common shares. Accordingly, all common share, stock option, per common share and warrant amounts for all periods presented in the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto have been adjusted retroactively to reflect this reverse stock split.
General
Aqua Metals is engaged in the business of applying its commercialized clean, water-based, recycling technology principles to develop cost-efficient recycling solutions for lithium-ion (“Li”) batteries. Our recycling process is a hydro and electrometallurgical technology that is an innovative, proprietary and patented process we developed and named AquaRefining. AquaRefining is a low-emissions, closed-loop recycling technology that has the potential to replace polluting furnaces and hazardous chemicals with electricity-powered chemical regeneration and electroplating to recover valuable metals and materials from spent batteries with higher purity, lower emissions, and with minimal waste. The modular “Aqualyzers” cleanly generate ultra-pure metal one atom at a time, closing the sustainability loop for the rapidly growing energy storage economy.
This breakthrough technology was initially applied in the lead acid battery (LAB) recycling industry, building the first integrated recycling system for breaking LAB and recovering pure metal. In 2019, we operated our demonstration AquaRefinery at commercial quantity production levels and produced over 35,000 AquaRefined’ ingots operating twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week for sustained periods of time.
Since 2021, the Company has focused on applying our commercialized clean, water-based recycling technology principles with the goal of developing the cleanest and most cost-efficient recycling solution for lithium-ion batteries. We believe our process has the potential to produce higher quality products at a lower operating cost without the damaging effects of furnaces and traditional hydro processes and greenhouse emissions.
In February 2021, we announced our entry into the lithium-ion battery (LiB) recycling market through a key provisional patent we filed that applies the same innovative AquaRefining approach. In August 2021, we announced we had established our Innovation Center in TRIC focused on applying our proven technology to LiB recycling research and development and prototyping. Our strategic decision to apply our proven clean, closed-loop hydrometallurgical and electrochemical recycling experience to lithium-ion battery recycling is designed to meet the growing demand for critical metals driven by the global transition to electric vehicles; growth in internet data centers; and alternative energy applications including solar, wind, and grid-scale storage.
During the first half of 2022, we announced our ability to recover copper, lithium hydroxide, nickel, and cobalt from lithium-ion battery ‘black mass’ at bench scale at the Company’s Innovation Center. During 2022, we built our fully-integrated pilot system, located within the Company’s Innovation Center, which is designed to allow Aqua Metals to be the first company in North America to recycle battery minerals from black mass, sell them in the U.S. and position the Company as the first LiB recycler in North America to align with the U.S. government’s goal of retaining strategic battery minerals within the domestic supply chain.
During 2022, we conducted environmental comparisons based on Argonne National Lab’s modeling of lithium battery supply chains – called EverBatt. The initial results indicate that AquaRefining is a cleaner approach to LiB recycling, producing far less CO2 waste streams than smelting or chemical-driven hydrometallurgical processes currently on the market. In December 2022, we completed equipment installation and began to operate our first-of-a-kind LiB recycling facility, utilizing electricity as the catalyst to recycle instead of intensive chemical processes, fossil fuels, or high-temperature furnaces. In January 2023, Aqua Metals recovered its first metals from recycling lithium batteries using the patent-pending Li AquaRefining process.
In February 2023, we acquired a five-acre parcel of land with an existing building to begin development of our Li AquaRefining recycling campus at TRIC. During the second quarter of 2025, we sold the Sierra ARC property. The action retired all debt, added cash to the balance sheet and reduced holding costs. The company will now evaluate more cost-efficient locations for future development. We are working closely with prospective strategic materials and financial partners to explore co-location opportunities near feedstock and offtake sources, which could lower capital expenditures and future operating expenses.
In February 2025, the Company announced its expanded vision to more than double the output of lithium carbonate by deferring the plating of nickel and cobalt to metal form until the next phase. This allows for several improvements to the early years of scaling – reduced capital expenditures by simplifying the product set to lithium carbonate and MHP (Mixed Hydroxide Precipitates), more volume of product due to the simplification, further de-risk with the simplified product set, more revenue and overall operating margins with a much improved payback on remaining capital to be financed. The Company continues to seek the funding to build it's first commercial plant.
During the third quarter of 2025, the Company expanded its feedstock diversification strategy by extending its proprietary AquaRefining™ technology to evaluate polymetallic deep-sea nodules as an additional potential source of critical minerals. In September 2025, the Company announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Impossible Metals Inc. to collaborate on the development of a domestic, environmentally responsible supply chain for essential minerals— including nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese, and rare earth elements—recovered from deep-sea nodules and refined through the AquaRefining™ process.
In November 2025, the Company further broadened its collaboration framework by entering into an MOU with MOBY Robotics Inc. to explore the use of robotic harvesting and precision sorting of nodules and to conduct bench-scale testing of AquaRefining™ for these materials. These initiatives remain exploratory and are intended to assess the technical and economic feasibility of applying the Company’s clean, water-based recycling process to nodule-derived feedstocks.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2025, we issued 833,219 shares of common stock pursuant to an at the market, or ATM, sales agreement for net proceeds of $5,921,000, and 177,283 shares of common stock pursuant to the equity-line-of-credit purchase agreement, or ELOC for the net proceeds of $903,000. On October 16, 2025, we closed a registered direct offering of 205,213 shares of common stock at an offering price of $11.34 per share and 928,581 pre-funded warrants at an offering price of $11.339 per pre-funded warrant, In a concurrent private placement, we also sold 1,133,794 common stock purchase warrants at an offering price of $0.125 per warrant, with each warrant exercisable over a five year period for one share of common stock at an exercise price of $11.34 per share. After the deduction of the placement and legal fees payable by us, the aggregate net proceeds from the registered direct offering and warrant placement were approximately $12,000,000.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, we issued 119,503 shares of common stock pursuant to the ATM facility for net proceeds of $5,014,000. In May 2024, we completed a public offering of 100,625 shares of our common stock, at the public offering price of $78 per share. In connection with the sale of common stock, we issued warrants to purchase shares of common stock at the rate of one warrant for every share of purchased common stock, at the price of $2 per share. After the deduction of the underwriter’s discount and expenses payable by us, we received net proceeds of $7,306,000.
Our current focus is building and operating our first-of-a-kind lithium battery recycling facility, utilizing electricity to recycle instead of intensive chemical processes, fossil fuels, or high-temperature furnaces. We are also pursuing potential partnership and/or joint ventures agreements and licensing agreements, particularly as our Li AquaRefining continues to develop and improve. We believe that Aqua Metals is in a position to become one of the few critical minerals recovery players for which our environmental and economic value proposition should generate both great commercial wins and potentially government grants to accelerate our credibility and progress.
Effective November 5, 2024, we effected a one-for-20 reverse stock split of our issued and outstanding common shares. Subsequently, on August 4, 2025, we effected a one-for-10 reverse stock split of our issued and outstanding common shares. All share and share price information set forth in this report has been adjusted retrospectively to reflect these reverse stock splits.
Plan of Operations
Our business strategy is based on the pursuit of building, operating and licensing Li AquaRefining recycling capacity to meet the growing demand for critical battery metals in lithium-ion batteries driven by innovations in automobile batteries, growth in internet data centers being rapidly accelerated by artificial intelligence (AI), and alternative energy applications, including solar, wind, and grid-scale storage.
We are in the process of demonstrating that Li AquaRefining, which is fundamentally non-polluting, can create the highest quality and highest yields of recovered minerals from lithium-ion batteries with lower waste streams and lower costs than existing alternatives. Throughout 2023 and 2024, we have demonstrated at our pilot facility our ability to recover key valuable minerals in lithium-ion batteries, such as lithium hydroxide or lithium carbonate, copper, nickel, cobalt, and other compounds. These demonstrations ran for 24 hours x 5 days a week for many weeks in 2024 and an extended 24 hours x 7 days a week endurance run in November-December of 2024 that produced the results the Company believes makes the process commercial scale ready. Our next goal for lithium AquaRefining is to process commercial quantities of nickel, cobalt, and copper in a pure metal form that can be sold to the general metals and superalloy markets and can be made into battery precursor compound materials with known processes already used in the mining industry. The location for the pilot demonstration facility is in our Innovation Center in Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center. Our next phase is constructing our first commercial ARC and we are actively working with multiple potential supply, off-take, and funding partners to determine the optimal timing and location. The construction of the first commercial facility is subject to our receipt of additional financing.
Our focus for the critical battery minerals market includes operating our first-of-a-kind lithium battery recycling facility, utilizing electricity to recycle instead of traditional approaches involving intensive and dangerous and expensive one time use chemical processes, fossil fuels, or high-temperature furnaces which also produce very large gas (CO2) and solid (sodium sulfate) waste streams our process avoids. Because of the cost savings (labor, chemical, waste streams, footprint), the Company believes it is the low cost producer giving a material economic advantage to lithium AquaRefining compared to other processes. We are also exploring partnership and/or joint venture agreements, particularly as our Li AquaRefining matures. We believe that Aqua Metals is in a position to become one of the few critical minerals recovery players for which our environmental and economic value proposition should generate both great commercial wins and potentially government grants and support to accelerate our expansion and progress.
Results of Operations
We did not engage in commercial operations in 2025 or 2024. Our operations have been devoted to developing our Li AquaRefining battery recycling technology. During the nine months ended September 30, 2025, we focused on the continued operation of the pilot facility and advancing the underlying processes that support our recycling capabilities. We did not earn any revenue during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024. The following table summarizes our results of operations with respect to the items set forth below for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 together with the dollar and percentage changes in those items (in thousands).
| Three Months Ended September 30, |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Favorable |
% |
Favorable |
% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 |
2024 |
(Unfavorable) |
Change |
2025 |
2024 |
(Unfavorable) |
Change |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Plant operations |
$ | 576 | $ | 1,617 | $ | 1,041 | (64.4 | )% | $ | 2,076 | $ | 6,198 | $ | 4,122 | (66.5 | )% | ||||||||||||||||
| Research and development cost |
328 | 398 | 70 | (17.6 | )% | 960 | 1,349 | 389 | (28.8 | )% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment and loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment |
25 | 448 | 423 | (94.4 | )% | 9,037 | 448 | (8,589 | ) | 1917.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expense |
2,136 | 2,748 | 612 | (22.3 | )% | 6,707 | 9,170 | 2,463 | (26.9 | )% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expense |
$ | 3,065 | $ | 5,211 | $ | 2,146 | (41.2 | )% | $ | 18,780 | $ | 17,165 | $ | (1,615 | ) | 9.4 | % | |||||||||||||||
Plant operations include materials, supplies related costs, salaries and benefits, consulting, outside services costs, inventory adjustments, depreciation, amortization, insurance, travel and overhead costs. Plant operations decreased approximately $1,041,000, or 64.4%, and $4,122,000, or 66.5%, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024. The decrease in plant operations for the three months ended September 30, 2025 was primarily driven by a reduction in payroll and related costs of approximately $634,000, resulting from workforce reductions implemented in August 2024 and continued reductions during the first quarter of 2025. Additionally, professional fees decreased by approximately $153,000 and supplies, materials, inventory adjustments and other overhead expenses decreased by $254,000. The decrease in plant operations for the nine month ended September 30, 2025 was primarily due to a decrease in payroll and payroll related fees of approximately $2,570,000 resulting from workforce reductions, professional fees decreased by approximately $697,000 and a decrease of $855,000 in other overhead expenses, including supplies, materials and inventory adjustments. Management does not expect the reduction in force to materially impact its current pilot operations or continuing research and development. However, until additional funding is secured, employee-related and overhead expenses are expected to remain at the reduced levels throughout the remainder of 2025.
Research and development cost includes expenditures related to the continued enhancement of the AquaRefining technology and the development of our lithium-ion battery recycling process. During the three months ended September 30, 2025, research and development expenses decreased $70,000, or approximately 17.6%, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2024, and $389,000, or approximately 28.8%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2024. This decrease over the nine months ended September 30, 2025 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was primarily due to lower payroll and related costs of approximately $297,000, as well as a reduction in supplies, materials, and other overhead expenses of approximately $116,000 offset by an increase in professional fees of approximately $24,000.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, we recognized a non-cash impairment and loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment of $25,000 and $9,037,000, respectively, in connection with the sale of the facility located at TRIC and related equipment. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, we recognized a loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment of $448,000.
General and administrative expense decreased $612,000, or approximately 22.3%, for the three months ended September 30, 2025 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2024 and $2,463,000, or approximately 26.9%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The decrease for the three months ended September 30, 2025 was primarily due to a reduction in payroll and related costs of approximately $366,000 due to workforce reductions and restructuring and $277,000 decrease in professional fees offset by an increase of approximately $31,000 in other overhead expenses. The decrease for the nine month ended September 30, 2025, was primarily attributable to a reduction in payroll and related expenses of approximately $1,960,000 due to workforce reductions, a $47,000 decrease in director fees, a $459,000 decrease in professional fees offset by an increase of $3,000 in other overhead expenses.
The following table summarizes our other income and interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 together with the dollar and percentage changes in those items (in thousands).
| Three Months Ended September 30, |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Favorable |
% |
Favorable |
% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 |
2024 |
(Unfavorable) |
Change |
2025 |
2024 |
(Unfavorable) |
Change |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense |
$ | (12 | ) | $ | (83 | ) | $ | 71 | (85.5 | )% | $ | (659 | ) | $ | (273 | ) | $ | (386 | ) | 141.4 | % | |||||||||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt |
— | — | — | 0.0 | % | (825 | ) | — | (825 | ) | (100.0 | )% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest and other income |
28 | 84 | (56 | ) | (66.7 | )% | 805 | 329 | 476 | 144.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in fair value of warrant liability |
(72 | ) | — | (72 | ) | (100.0 | )% | 1,255 | — | 1,255 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total other income, net |
$ | (56 | ) | $ | 1 | $ | (57 | ) | (5700.0 | )% | $ | 576 | $ | 56 | $ | 520 | 928.6 | % | ||||||||||||||
The decrease in interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2025, is due to the decrease in the notes payable outstanding balance. The increase in interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, is due to the increase in the notes payable outstanding balance and an increase in the amortization of the related debt discount.
On May 5, 2025, the Company repaid its $1,500,000 bridge loan prior to the December 31, 2025 maturity. As part of the agreement, the Company was required to pay a guaranteed interest amount of $300,000 regardless of early repayment. For the nine months ended September 30, 2025, the Company recognized $435,000 in interest expense (including amortization of issuance costs), and recorded a $825,000 loss on extinguishment of debt related to the write-off of unamortized financing costs and the remaining unaccrued portion of the guaranteed interest.
We recognized approximately $28,000 and $805,000 in interest and other income during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, a decrease of $56,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2025 and an increase of $476,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2025. The increase was primarily driven by the approval of a payroll tax employee retention credit during the first six months of the 2025.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, the Company recognized a change in fair value of warrant liability of $72,000 and $1,255,000, which was primarily due to the remeasurement of the warrants issued in December 2024.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of September 30, 2025, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $3,586,000, current liabilities of $3,459,000 and a working capital of approximately $508,000. However, on October 16, 2025, we closed a registered direct offering of 205,213 shares of common stock at an offering price of $11.34 per share and 928,581 pre-funded warrants at an offering price of $11.339 per pre-funded warrant, In a concurrent private placement, we also sold 1,133,794 common stock purchase warrants at an offering price of $0.125 per warrant, with each warrant exercisable over a five year period for one share of common stock at an exercise price of $11.34 per share. After the deduction of the placement and legal fees payable by us, the aggregate net proceeds from the registered direct offering and warrant placement were approximately $12,000,000. The Company has not generated revenues from commercial operations and expects to continue incurring losses for the foreseeable future. In order to satisfy our capital requirements, the Company will need to improve its liquidity position through equity or debt financings and/or reductions in operating costs, in order to satisfy its liquidity needs. Management is devoting significant efforts to increasing liquidity, raising capital and developing its business.
Even after giving effect to the October 2025 registered direct offering and concurrent warrant placement, management believes that the Company's capital resources remain insufficient to sustain operations through at least the next twelve months from the date of this filing. Additionally, in view of the Company’s expectation to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future, and its current working capital level, it will be required to raise additional capital resources in order to fund its operations, although the availability of, and the Company’s access to such resources, is not assured. Accordingly, management believes that there is substantial doubt regarding the Company’s ability to continue operating as a going concern through the next twelve months from the date of this filing.
Looking ahead, Aqua Metals plans to continue pilot operations, advance site selection and permitting for its first commercial AquaRefining facility and pursue additional strategic partnerships and grant opportunities to accelerate commercialization. Management believes the Company’s validated technology, new capital resources, and expanding partner ecosystem position Aqua Metals to play a key role in building a resilient, low-carbon domestic supply chain for critical minerals.
The following table summarizes our cash provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities (in thousands):
| Nine Months Ended September 30, |
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| 2025 |
2024 |
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| Net cash used in operating activities |
$ | (7,648 | ) | $ | (11,637 | ) | ||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
$ | 4,971 | $ | (11,062 | ) | |||
| Net cash provided by financing activities |
$ | 2,184 | $ | 9,127 | ||||
Net cash used in operating activities
Net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $7,648,000 and $11,637,000, respectively. Net cash used in operating activities during each of these periods consisted primarily of our net loss adjusted for non-cash items such as depreciation, amortization, amortization of deferred financing costs, loss on extinguishment of debt, stock-based compensation, impairment and loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment, as well as net changes in working capital. During the nine months ended September 30, 2025, we recognized approximately $9,037,000 expense for impairment and loss on disposal of property, plant, and equipment related to the sale of the facility located at TRIC.
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
Net cash provided by investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 was $4,971,000 and consisted mainly of $4,382,000 cash received from the sale of the building and equipment, $1,141,000 from equipment deposits, the payment of our $100,000 related to our note receivable, offset by cash utilized towards equipment deposits of $231,000 and purchases of fixed assets of $421,000. Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $11,062,000 and consisted mainly of cash utilized towards equipment deposits of $3,975,000 and purchases of fixed assets related to the build out of our commercial facility of $7,452,000, offset by $350,000 of cash received related to our note receivable.
Net cash provided by financing activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was $2,184,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, consisting of $5,921,000 in net proceeds from the sale of Aqua Metals shares pursuant to the at-the-market offering, or ATM, and $903,000 of net proceeds from the sale of Aqua Metals shares pursuant to the equity-line-of-credit purchase agreement, or ELOC, with Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC offset by $108,000 related to tax withholdings to cover RSU vesting and $4,500,000 principal payments on notes payable. Net cash provided by financing activities of $9,127,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 consisted of $2,820,000 in net proceeds from the sale of Aqua Metals shares pursuant to the at-the-market offering, or ATM, and $7,306,000 in net proceeds from our May 2024 public offering, offset by $552,000 related to tax withholdings to cover RSU vesting and $424,000 related to debt issuance costs.
Critical Accounting Estimates
No material changes from what was reported in the 2024 Annual Report.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Not applicable.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based on that evaluation, management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2025.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three month period ended September 30, 2025 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
| Item 1A. |
Risk Factors |
Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 includes certain risk factors that could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. There have been no material changes to those risk factors, except as described below:
We will need additional financing to execute our business plan and fund operations, which additional financing may not be available on reasonable terms or at all. As of September 30, 2025, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $3,586,000, current liabilities of $3,459,000 and a working capital of $508,000. As of the date of this report and after giving effect to the October 2025 registered direct offering and concurrent warrant placement for the gross proceeds of approximately $13,000,000, we believe that we will require additional capital in order to fund our current level of ongoing costs and our proposed business plan over the next 12 months as we move forward with our business strategy. We intend to acquire the necessary capital though debt financing, sale of assets or through the sale of equity. Funding that includes the sale of our equity may be dilutive. If such funding is not available on satisfactory terms, we may be unable to further pursue our business plan and we may be unable to continue operations, in which case you may lose your entire investment.
The report of our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2024 states that there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued.
We are the subject of a claim that could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. In October 2021, we filed an action against Johnson Controls Fire Protections, LP (“Defendant”) relating to its involvement in the November 2019 fire at our former TRIC facility (Aqua Metals, Inc., et. al v. Johnson Controls Fire Protections, LP, Second Judicial District of the State of Nevada CV21-01891). Our complaint alleged Defendant’s liability for a portion of the fire loss based on Defendant’s negligence, breach of contract and other causes of action in connection with Defendant’s failure to properly inspect, maintain and repair the fire suppression system in the TRIC facility. On March 25, 2025, the Court dismissed our complaint in response to a motion for summary judgment filed by Defendant. On May 12, 2025, Defendant filed a Memorandum for Costs seeking approximately $300,000 in litigation-related costs and on May 29, 2025, Defendant filed a motion to recover its attorney’s fees and costs in the aggregate approximate amount of $3.5 million, including approximately $300,000 of costs (the same costs identified in Defendant’s Memorandum of Costs) and approximately $3.2 million of legal fees. We believe that we have a strong defense to Defendant’s claim for recovery of fees and costs, especially with regard to Defendant’s claim for legal fees, and we intend to vigorously defend against Defendant’s motion. However, should Defendant be successful in obtaining an award for all or a substantial portion of the requested amount, we may be unable to satisfy any such award without raising additional capital either through the issuance of our equity or debt securities or and/or liquidation of some or all of our assets. There can be no assurance that Defendant’s motion for fees and costs will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
| Item 5 | Other Information |
During the quarter ended September 30, 2025, no director or officer of the Company adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.
Item 6. Exhibits
| Exhibit |
Description |
Method of Filing |
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| 3.1 |
First Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant |
Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on June 9, 2015. |
| 3.2 |
Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant |
Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 21, 2022. |
| 3.3 |
Certificate of Amendment to First Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant |
Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on June 25, 2015. |
| 3.4 |
Certificate of Amendment to the First Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation |
Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 9, 2019 |
| 3.5 | Certificate of Amendment to the First Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation | Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on July 21, 2022 |
| 3.6 | Certificate of Amendment to the First Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation | Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 13, 2025 |
| 4.1 | Form of October 2025 Pre-Funded Warrant | Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 16, 2025 |
| 4.2 | Form of October 2025 Common Stock Purchase Warrant | Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 16, 2025 |
| 10.1 | Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 15, 2025, by and between Aqua Metals, Inc. and the Investor | Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 16, 2025 |
| 31.1 |
Certifications Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
Filed electronically herewith |
| 31.2 |
Certifications Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
Filed electronically herewith |
| 32.1 |
Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350). |
Filed electronically herewith |
| 101.INS |
Inline XBRL Instance Document |
Filed electronically herewith |
| 101.SCH |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document |
Filed electronically herewith |
| 101.CAL |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document |
Filed electronically herewith |
| 101.LAB |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document |
Filed electronically herewith |
| 101.PRE |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document |
Filed electronically herewith |
| 101.DEF |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document |
Filed electronically herewith |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). |
SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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AQUA METALS, INC. |
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| Date: |
November 12, 2025 | By: |
/s/ Stephen Cotton |
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Stephen Cotton, |
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President, Chief Executive Officer and Director |
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| Date: |
November 12, 2025 | By: |
/s/ Eric West |
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Eric West, |
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Chief Financial Officer |
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(Principal Financial Officer) |
FAQ
What were Aqua Metals (AQMS) Q3 2025 results?
What is AQMS’s liquidity position as of September 30, 2025?
Did Aqua Metals raise capital after quarter‑end?
How much did AQMS raise during the nine months via ATM and ELOC?
What changed on the balance sheet due to the TRIC facility?
How many AQMS shares are outstanding?
Were there reverse stock splits?
